BASEBALL

JETER WINS FIRST GOLD GLOVE

Yankee shortstop Derek Jeter won his first Gold Glove award yesterday, taking over from teammate Alex Rodriguez, who had won it two straight years before moving to third base this year. The award was most likely due to the catch of a popup Jeter made against Boston when he went diving into the stands and came out with the ball and a bloody face.

Toronto outfielder Vernon Wells also was a first-time winner. Rangers pitcher Kenny Rogers, who turns 40 on November 10, won for the third time, the first since 2002.

Oakland third baseman Eric Chavez, Minnesota center fielder Torii Hunter, and Seattle right fielder Ichiro Suzuki all won the award for the fourth straight season. Mariners second baseman Bret Boone won his third straight Gold Glove for the Mariners, his fourth overall, and Anaheim first baseman Darin Erstad won his third award, his first since 2002.

Ivan Rodriguez and Erstad both earned $100,000 bonuses, while Boone, Chavez, Rogers, Suzuki, and Wells each earned $50,000, and Hunter $25,000. The awards are sponsored by Rawlings.

MARTINEZ FILES FOR FREE AGENCY

Red Sox star Pedro Martinez filed for free agency yesterday, a week after his Game 3 victory helped Boston win its first World Series title since 1918.

Martinez just completed a $75 million, five-year contract. The Red Sox have exclusive negotiating rights with him until November 11, when other teams can make an offer for the three-time Cy Young Award winner.

“If they don’t get me, it’s probably because they didn’t try hard enough,” Martinez said after what might have been his final start in a Red Sox uniform. “My heart is with Boston.”

Martinez joins more than a dozen members of the World Series champions headed for the free-agent market, including pitcher Derek Lowe, catcher Jason Varitek, and shortstop Orlando Cabrera.

Martinez went 16-9 with a career-high 3.90 ERA this season. The 33-year-old right-hander is 182-76 with a 2.71 ERA in his 13-year career. He also pitched for the Dodgers and Expos.

LEYLAND NO LONGER CANDIDATE FOR METS JOB

Jim Leyland finally spoke to the Mets about becoming their manager and decided he wasn’t interested, leaving Yankees coach Willie Randolph, Texas coach Rudy Jaramillo, and former Houston and Anaheim manager Terry Collins as the three finalists.

EXPOS HIRE BOWDEN AS INTERIM GM

Former Cincinnati Reds general manager Jim Bowden was hired yesterday as general manager of the Washington-bound Montreal Expos, taking a job that might last only a few months while the team is being sold.

Bowden will oversee off-season trades and signings for a franchise that will move to the nation’s capital next season if the local government approves funding for a new ballpark. He replaces Omar Minaya, who resigned during the final week of the season to become general manager of the Mets.

The length of Bowden’s stay depends on how long it takes to sell the team, which is owned by the 29 other major league clubs. At least two dozen potential buyers have shown interest, and the sale might not be completed until late in the off-season or early in the next regular season.

Bowden expressed no interest in remaining with the team once an owner is chosen. He said Frank Robinson will remain the team’s manager during the transition period.

FOOTBALL

LEFTWICH OUT INDEFINITELY WITH KNEE SPRAIN

Jaguars quarterback Byron Leftwich is out indefinitely after spraining the lateral collateral ligament in his left knee in Sunday’s 20-6 loss to Houston.

A sports orthopedist examined Leftwich yesterday and determined the quarterback will not need surgery. He has been told to rest the injury. Some players with the same injury have required four to six weeks of rest. But coach Jack Del Rio said Leftich may actually be healthy enough to start in two weeks following the Jaguars bye week.

BASKETBALL

PARKER SIGNS LONG-TERM DEAL WITH SPURS

Before last season, the San Antonio Spurs wanted to push Tony Parker aside to make room for Jason Kidd at point guard.

This week the Spurs made a big commitment to the 22-year-old Frenchman: a six-year contract extension reportedly worth $66 million. The deal was finalized late Monday night, within a few hours of the league’s signing deadline. Had an agreement not been reached, Parker would have become a restricted free agent at the end of this season.

For San Antonio, the signing locks up the team’s top three players – Parker, two-time MVP Tim Duncan, and Argentine guard Manu Ginobili – for the rest of the decade.

HOCKEY

PLAYERS MEET WITH UNION LEADERSHIP

Seventy-five NHL players met with union leaders yesterday to get an update on a lockout that shows no sign of ending. Among those players was Montreal’s Pierre Dagenais, who has said he would be willing to disobey the union and accept a salary cap if that would help settle the lockout.

The meeting was billed as a routine update on the labor dispute so player representatives could brief their teammates. But it took on greater importance following recent comments by disgruntled union members Dagenais, Mike Commodore, Brian Pothier, and Rob Ray.

The players met for about four hours, after having dinner together on Monday night. The meeting included player representatives from all 30 clubs and other players who wanted to attend. NHLPA executive director Bob Goodenow said there was no “crack or divisiveness” in the union.

SOCCER

CHELSEA, MILAN ADVANCE IN CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

Chelsea and Inter Milan secured places in the knockout stage of the Champions League yesterday, while AC Milan will have to wait after an 89th-minute goal by Ronaldinho gave FC Barcelona a 2-1 win.

Chelsea became the first team to progress to the last 16 with a 1-0 win at CSKA Moscow and Inter followed them later a s their goalless home draw with Valencia was enough to guarantee a top-two finish in Group G with two games remaining. AC Milan were set to join them, but are now level with Barcelona in Group F, though both should still progress.

– Associated Press